News

• 8 February 2010
  ASIA/MALAYSIA - Evangelical Church in Borneo presents case for using “Allah” in the Bible Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) – The saga over the use of the name “Allah” for Christians in Malaysia is still holding court in Malaysian society, note sources of Fides from the local Church. The Evangelical Church ...
• 8 February 2010
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Shazia and violence against Christian women in Pakistan Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – The sad story of Shazia - a Christian girl who was raped, tortured, and killed by her employer, a wealthy Muslim lawyer in Lahore (see Fides 25/01/2010) – is "a reminder to the public and the ...
• 6 February 2010
  ASIA/TAIWAN - Legion of Mary celebrates 60 years in Taiwan Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - On February 21, 1950, in a small room in the parish of Hua Sha, the first community of the Legion of Mary was begun in Taiwan. Sixty years later, its over 2,300 members, present in 206 communiti ...
• 6 February 2010
  AMERICA/BRAZIL - “Intermirifica.net” - a missionary opportunity Porto Alegre (Agenzia Fides) – The Continental Meeting of Catholic communities called "Mutirão de Comunicação” from Latin America and the Caribbean (Muticom) which was opened on February 3, closes today in Porto A ...
• 6 February 2010
  AMERICA/HAITI - “At times I feel so helpless, but knowing that I have many people praying for me helps me to continue doing the little I can...” Testimony from a volunteer in Haiti. Port-au-Prince (Agenzia Fides) - “There are no words to describe the devastation of the earthquake on this city.  All over the city there are signs -- 'We need help - water, food, medication, tents.' 'Please help us N ...
• 6 February 2010
  AFRICA/MALAWI - Malawi President's election as President of African Union, inspires hopes and fears Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides) – On January 31, the 14th African Union Summit elected the Head of State of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Union. In his acceptance speech for such a highly pursued office, Muthar ...
• 6 February 2010
  AFRICA/CONGO DR - Yet another military operation in east Congo causes concern among missionaries Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – The launch of a new military offensive in North and South Kivu (eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo) against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda raises several questions ...
• 6 February 2010
  ASIA/INDIA - “White Book” on violence, to bring reconciliation and justice to Orissa: appeal from Archbishop of Bhubaneswar Bhubaneswar (Agenzia Fides) – The government should establish a "White Book" on the state of Orissa, to address and resolve "neutrality and transparency" issues of displaced people, land restitution, and the right to a ...
• 6 February 2010
  AMERICA/BRAZIL - Bishop Lara Barbosa on the “Clean Card Law”: “We are open to dialogue, but without changes in the law.” Brasilia (Agenzia Fides) – The Movement for the fight against electoral corruption (MCCE) in Brazil, led by the Catholic Church and several social activists, today resubmitted its request to Congress not to amend the b ...
• 5 February 2010
  ASIA/INDONESIA - Archbishop of Medan tells Fides there is interreligious dialogue and friendship in Sumatra Medan (Agenzia Fides) – There have been no interreligious tensions in northern Sumatra following the recent violence against two Protestant houses of worship. "These are rare events, occurring in specific circumstances ...
• 5 February 2010
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, President of Bishops' Commission on Family and Life, responds to press accusations: “Presidential candidates should be clear on respect for life.” Manila (Agenzia Fides) – "Presidential candidates should be clear on the issues that concern the respect for life and family. If they call themselves Catholics, there can be no dichotomy between the faith and the publi ...
• 5 February 2010
  VATICAN - Pope's Message for Lent: “creating just societies, where all receive what is necessary to live according to the dignity proper to the human person and where justice is enlivened by love.” Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ” (Rm 3, 21-22) is the theme for the Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2010. Benedict XVI focuses on the meaning o ...
• 5 February 2010
  ASIA/CHINA - Catholic community of He Bei promotes family and Christian marriage in preparation for Chinese New Year, a family celebration Shai Jia Zhuang (Agenzia Fides) – In anticipation of Chinese New Year, which is a very important traditional celebration marked by family unity and given the many challenges that today's society poses to the family and ...
• 5 February 2010
  AMERICA/MEXICO - 14th National Holy Childhood Association Congress aired live on the Internet Chihuahua (Agenzia Fides) – The 14th National Congress for the Holy Childhood Association and Youth Missionaries (CONIAM), organized by the Pontifical Mission Societies of Mexico is taking place in Chihuahua in Mexico, ...
• 5 February 2010
  AMERICA/ECUADOR - 100th anniversary of the birth of Bishop Leonidas Proaño, Bishop of the Indians and the poor, faithful Pastor under the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit Quito (Agenzia Fides) – 100 years after the birth of Bishop Leonidas Proaño, the Ecuadorian Bishops' Conference and the entire national community have celebrated this anniversary with great devotion and the commitment ...